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Wednesday, August 12, 2026

Dye Project: Dyer's Polypore

For this mushroom dyeing project, I'm using Dyer's Polypore (Phaeolus schweinitzii), which produces shades of yellow, gold, brown, orange, and olive green, depending on the material dyed and the mordant used. The best color is achieved using protein fibers like wool and silk.

Phaeolus schweinitzii is a polypore fungi (also called a bracket or shelf fungi). It may appear on tree trunks, or it may appear to be terrestrial when growing on underground roots or at the base of the host tree. The fruiting bodies are tannish with darker brown centers, and orange to pale margins on young specimens. As the fruiting bodies age, the pore surface turns from yellow to greenish yellow, the top becomes darker, and the yellow-brown flesh becomes harder and more wood-like. The pores bruise brown. The spores are white, elliptical, and smooth. The fungi is native to North America and Eurasia, and grows on conifers such as Douglas-fir, spruce, fir, hemlock, pine, and larch. The species is inedible, bitter, and mildly toxic.


Mature Dyer's Polypore at Tilden Park in January


Note: if you live in North America, Phaeolus hispidoides is the most up-to-date name. Recent phylogenetic studies have determined that the classic Phaeolus schweinitzii is restricted to Europe and Asia, and North American populations are now split into distinct regional species like Phaeolus hispidoides (common name, New World Dyer's Polypore). Since this change is fairly new, I plan to use P. schweinitzii and Dyer's Polypore in this post. 


Key Supplies

I'm using my usual dye equipment, including a convection burner, a non-reactive stainless steel dye pot, candy thermometer, strainer, cheese cloth, various plastic pails and containers for soaking and rinsing, a digital kitchen scale, stir stick, a mild pH-neutral soap (such as Synthropol or Professional Textile Detergent), rubber gloves, and a face mask. Additional supplies and equipment:

  • Mushroom: Phaeolus schweinitzii - dried or fresh. I purchased one ounce (28 grams) of dried mushrooms from a supplier on Etsy (TheConstantForager). The recommended ratio of dye to fabric is 8% of Weight of Fabric (WOF). For example, 28 grams of silk (one ounce) would require 2.24 grams of Dyer's Polypore mushrooms (about .08 ounces).


Dried Dyer's Polypore mushroom

  • pH test strips: to test how acidic or alkaline the dye bath is.
    • The silk scarves each weigh 1 ounce or 28 grams (total of 2 ounces or 56 grams). Note that one of the scarves was mordanted in April 2022, so it will be an interesting test of how long mordant lasts!
    • The silk/wool blend scarf weighs .7 ounces or 20 grams.
  • The recommended ratio of dye to fabric is 8% of Weight of Fabric (WOF); in this case, 8% of 28 grams is 2.24 grams x 2 and 8% of 20 grams is 1.6 grams. I should be able to dye all three items with the 1 ounce / 28 grams of dried mushrooms.
  • pH Modifiers: You can easily shift the base yellow/gold colors using various mordants or additives as described below. I plan to only use fabric that is pre-mordanted with alum.
    • No modifier / Alum: bright yellows and golds.
    • Iron (Ferrous Sulfate): shifts colors to olive greens (use at 2% of fiber weight).
    • Alkaline shift: adding washing soda can increase the pH and darken the yellow.


Extracting the Dye

Extracting color from mushrooms is similar to extracting color from plants. Chop the mushrooms into pieces, cover with water and soak overnight, bring to a simmer, and then simmer to extract the color. The process is the same whether you're using fresh or dried mushrooms.


Break the fresh or dried mushrooms and stems into pieces


First, break the mushrooms into small pieces (stems and caps). Cover with water in a non-reactive pot, and soak overnight. Color was released into the water almost immediately, and the pH registered 6 (mildly acid).


Soak mushroom pieces overnight (color starts being released almost immediately)


Next, bring the temperature to about 140 to 160 °F. This process takes about 30-60 minutes. Then let simmer at about 140 to 160 °F for about an hour until the color leaches out. The foam on top of the dye has a yellowish tint to it. I let the mushrooms cool and soak overnight in the dye to extract as much dye as possible.


Dyer's Polypore dye bath after simmering for an hour

Straining out the mushrooms from the extracted dye


Strain out the mushroom solids using a sieve with cheese cloth. I obtained about two quarters of extracted dye. The pH still registered 6 at this time (mildly acid).


The extracted Dyer's Polypore dye - look at that color!


Dyeing the Fabric

Dyeing fabric with mushrooms is very similar to dyeing with plants. Bring the dye bath to a simmer, pre-soak the silk or wool fabric or fiber in warm water, add the fabric to the dye pot, and simmer. One caveat is to make sure the temperature difference is very similar when going from one pot to another. For example, plunging cold silk into a hot dye bath causes shock shrinkage, uneven color, and weakened fibers. Better to add the cold silk to a cooled dye bath.

Place the extracted dye in a clean non-reactive pot and insert the thermometer. The pH still registered 6  at this time (mildly acid).


The extracted dye has a orangey-gold-brown cast to it


Bring the temperature of the dye bath to 140 to 160 °F. This typically takes about 30-60 minutes. I brought the temperature to 160 °F. Let simmer. Dyer's Polypore is more forgiving than some mushroom dyes, but the dye bath should not boil. While the dye bath is coming to temperature, pre-soak your wool or silk in warm water. This will improve how the fabric takes up the dye.


Soaking the three silk and silk/wool scarves in warm water


Add the fabric to the simmering dye pot and stir to distribute evenly. Add more water to cover the fabric if necessary. This will not dilute the dye; it just ensures a better of distribution of the dye to the fabric.


Distribute the fabric for an even uptake of the dye


Let the fabric simmer for at least 15 minutes, or longer to get the desired color, keeping the temperature between 140 to 160 °F. I simmered one of the silk scarves and the silk/wool blend scarf for 15 minutes, and the other silk scarf (the one mordanted in 2022) for an hour.

Remove the fabric and let it cool down, so you don't shock the fibers. I'm using a clean food container that once help chicken parts. Once cooled, hang to dry. You could rinse in lukewarm water before hanging to dry, but I'm waiting to give the dye longer to bond with the fabric.


Top: simmered for one hour
Bottom: simmered for 15 minutes


Two weeks later, wash with a mild pH-neutral soap, such as Synthropol or Professional Textile Detergent, to wash out unbound dye. Air dry out of direct sunlight. The resulting color is a strong orangey-gold.


The Results

The final results of dyeing with Dyer's Polypore mushrooms were quite stunning. I love the strong orangey-gold color (and was pleased how well the silk scarf that was mordanted in 2020 performed). While researching the project, many dyers commented on how prolific the dye bath is, enabling the dyer to continue dyeing multiple objects. I dyed three objects, and felt I could keep going. Because of that I decided to keep the dye bath to use in a future dye project.


Left hanger: silk and silk/wool scarves (15 minute simmer)
Right hanger: silk scarf (1 hour simmer)

Store the dye for future projects


Learn More

  • Byrd, Margaret. "How to Make Natural Color from Dyer's Polypore". Color Quest, 2023. This video shows how to achieve different colors using Phaeolus schweinitzii and various mordants. https://youtu.be/_4adB4t4DpU
You can also use the online version of The Mushroom Color Atlas. Use the Index to filter for a specific fungus and see its batch notes and pigment studies (for example, Phaeolus hispidoides if you are in North America). This is a wonderful resource.
  • Dawson, Cheryl. "Dyeing Protein Fibers with Mushrooms". North American Mycological Association. Provides a synthesis of published information about dyeing with mushrooms (revised January 2015).
  • "How to Make Dye with Mushrooms: The Dyer's Polypore". Myra Made Color, December 17 2021. This video shows how to dye with Dyer's Polypore. https://youtu.be/T4TjnxFO3yw
  • McDonnel, Zoe. "How to Dye with Dyers Polypore / Phaeolus schweinitzii". Wildcraft Dyeing, 2020. In this video, a wildlife ecologist dyes yarn with Phaeolus schweinitzii. https://youtu.be/oeD4YQYq3tQ


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Wednesday, August 5, 2026

Summer in Alaska

We've been back from Alaska for a couple of weeks now, and I am enjoying summer activities, walks with Bobo the Husky, and Bay Area weather. I have so many wonderful memories of our ten-day visit in Juneau with my husband, mom, Aunt Char, brother, sister, and nieces. We had a wonderful mix of misty, rainy days and warm sunny days. We also enjoyed a wonderful celebration of my dad's life, spent time out in nature, caught up on each other's lives and enjoyed time together. I've written about some of that in Field Notes for July 2026 (see entries from July 15 to 23), but wanted to add a few more memories (in no particular order)!


The Fish Creek Park on Douglas Island

A group of us hiked out to to the pond at Fish Creek Park on Douglas Island. We visited the pond periodically during the visit to check on tadpole development. The tadpoles enjoy gathering in the shallows near the shoreline and basking in the sun. We enjoyed the warm sun as well.


Hiking out to the pond

Looking for tadpoles at the water's edge


We were in luck and saw quite a few tadpoles wriggling together in a huge mass. (On a subsequent visit, they were not in sight near the shore, but we saw evidence of them further out in the pond). Rick, brother Dave, and I hiked around the perimeter of the man-made pond. Mom, Aunt Char, and Marianne enjoyed conversing under the shelter by the lake.


Tadpoles in the shallows at water's edge

Several of us hiked all the way around the pond


Celebration of Life

We had a lovely Celebration of Life for Dad - held in the home that he and Mom built over the years. It was warm, casual, and low-key, and I think Dad would have liked it (although he might have squirmed to hear all the lovely things that people said about him). After a brief introduction and welcome by Mom, anyone who wished related memories and stories, and commented on the impact of his life. Cousins Jen and Chris joined in via text messages.


Thea, Marianne, and Sarah

Mom, Dave, and Rick


Then we sang some old family songs, accompanied by friend Marge Osborne on piano (Shenandoah, Home on the Range, Red River Valley, and Down in the Valley). This was a challenge for some of us, who cannot carry a tune in a basket, but by the third or fourth round, our voices were warmed up and we enjoyed it quite a lot. We ended our singing with Amazing Grace. Dad wasn't religious but he liked some of the old hymns, possibly harkening back to his youth.


Mom and Marge run through the music to get us started

Sarah, Marg, Aunt Char, Dave, and Thea (part of the choir)


We ended the celebration at Mar y Sol for delicious Mexican food and great conversation, in a festive environment. Dad would have enjoyed it, possibly ordering enchiladas, tacos, or chili rellenos (or a combo plate of all three).


Our favorite spot for Mexican food


Downtown Juneau

On our last full day in Juneau, Rick and I enjoyed breakfast at The Sandpiper (formerly, The Fiddlehead), followed by shopping in downtown Juneau. I love the old Victorian buildings from gold rush days , which have been gussied up for the tourists.


A quick photo down Franklin Street

View of Front Street


We walked around the food truck court, and then purchased a stuffed animal for Bobo the Husky. In a previous visit to town, I had procured dark chocolate almond clusters and a few sweet treats at The Alaskan Fudge Company.


A view up Franklin Street, including the food truck court

Shopping for Bobo the Husky (he loved the stuffie - to death)


Overstreet Park and Totems

On a beautiful, warm, sunny day, we visited Overstreet Park near downtown Juneau. I've reported on the whale sculpture, the beautiful park-like setting, and the meandering boardwalk that leads to downtown Juneau and the cruise ships. It was a perfect day for strolling or just lounging in the sun.


Mom and Aunt Char stroll towards Tahku

Tahku breaching


The boardwalk crosses the tidal zone and Gold Creek and offers stunning views down channel. This time of year there are often five or six cruise ships at any one time, either docked or coming and going.


Cruise ships docked near downtown Juneau

New (to me) totem pole - I love the black boots on the bottom figure
 (and seeing traditional art evolve over time)

Dave, Aunt Char, and Mom enjoying the sun


Beaver Ponds on Douglas Island

Dave and I explored a series of beaver ponds on Douglas Island. There is a nice trail system in the area, which makes it easy to navigate through the woods along the waterway. Sometimes the beaver pond floods so the elevated paths and planks over the water are welcome. Dave is a great natural history guide and hiking companion.


Dave on the trail

A flooded area

The water level in the beaver pond is actually higher than the trail, so the area is prone to flooding. It is pretty remarkable to see how beaver activity changes the landscape.


View of the beaver dam beyond the skunk cabbage

Another interesting slime mold, possibly Coral Slime (Ceratiomyxa fruticulosa)

Dave and I walked the isthmus out to the little island in the background, and then walked around the island's perimeter. We were sprinkled with light rain on the way.


The fireweed are in bloom


Mendenhall Glacier and Skater's Cabin

We drove out to the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center to take a look at the glacier, but it was jammed with tour busses and people enjoying the trails and views, so we drove over to the Skater's Cabin instead. As the name suggests, this cabin provides shelter for ice skaters when Mendenhall Lake freezes over. We enjoyed relative solitude and views of the glacier.


View of Mendenhall Glacier and Nugget Falls from the Skater's Cabin

The Skater's Cabin

Enjoying the view


A Few Random Memories

To close out my trip report, I'm including a few random memories. For part of the visit, we rented a large SUV with seating for seven from Juneau Car Rental. I was a little concerned when they brought out a black SUV that was pitted with one inch dents. Apparently someone had rented the car in Texas and had driven through a hail storm (we were assured we wouldn't be held accountable). The car ran great despite its dents, and we learned that everyone who rents the car comes up with a story (it was pelted with golf balls, or survived a gangster attack, or something similar). This is so Alaska - we fit right in with the locals!


Our rental car hand been dented in a hail storm


Juneau is a very charming town, situated by the Gastineau Channel and nestled at the base of Mount Juneau and Mount Roberts. I love this view of the town, taken high up Blueberry Hill on Douglas Island.


View of Juneau from Blueberry Hill on Douglas Island


We had three generations of sisters together for this visit, so my brother took a few pictures. What a great group of wonderful, capable, talented women (from young, to younger, to youngest)!


Three generations of sisters (photo by Dave Harris)


The firewood was in bloom out on the beaches, meadows, and grasslands. Fireweed (Chamaenerion angustifolium) blooms from the bottom up. In mid-July it had bloomed about half-way up the stem, depending on where it was growing. When it has bloomed all the way up the stem, the locals know that summer is coming to an end and fall is close at hand. This can evoke mixed emotions - the pleasure of inside activities as well as the dread of long, dark days (see Winter in Alaska)! Luckily we have the good memories of bright summer days in the company of friends and family to help us through!


Fireweed near Outer Point on Douglas Island


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Wednesday, July 29, 2026

Summer Movies 2026: Mushroom Dye Tutorials

It's mid-summer in the San Francisco Bay Area, and life is good! Every year about this time, I like to head to the cinema to watch fun, interesting, or inspiring movies, in which plants are the movie stars. For the past several years, I've been gravitating towards documentaries that cover topics related to "dyeing with plants". This year I'm doing the same, but for "dyeing with mushrooms".

Instead of reviewing a specific documentary, I'm sharing a couple of  YouTube channels. I've been accessing this content as I research the topic of dyeing with mushrooms, and am hoping the links will give you a feel for some of the videos out there. Enjoy!


Wildcraft Dyeing provides a good video for dyeing with Boletes


Myra Made Color: Cultivating a Creative Life - by Myra

I learned about Myra Made Color this year, while researching Mushrooms for Color, written by Miriam Rice and illustrated by Dorothy BeeBee. Myra is Beebee's daughter, but stands on her own as a dyer and creator. Myra helped organize the "Mushrooms & Color Exhibit" that I attended in March at the Mendocino Art Center (see Mendocino Mushroom Exhibit). Her fascination with dyeing started with the color produced by mushrooms, but soon extended from mushrooms to all things botanical; her interest in fiber arts includes dyeing, weaving, crocheting, and knitting. Myra's videos are well researched and provide clear instructions and guidelines.

I also appreciate the familial collaboration between mother and daughter and between Myra and her brother Martin. Myra and Martin produced the documentary, "Try It and See: The Story Behind Mushroom Dyes", in which they tell the story of their mother as a natural dyer, fiber artist, and illustrator for the original book by Miriam Rice, Let’s Try Mushrooms for Color. Following is an example video, How to Make Dye with Mushrooms: Dyer's Polypore  (https://youtu.be/T4TjnxFO3yw?si=RXSGadZu37EvjL4O):



Learn More

          Playlist - Mushrooms: https://myramadecolor.com/tag/mushroom-dye/


Wildcraft Dyeing - by Zoe McDonnel

I've been watching Wildcraft Dyeing videos for several years now, especially the Mushrooms playlist. McDonell is a fiber artist and biologist. She has been teaching historical natural dye techniques and fiber arts for 25 years in the Pacific Northwest of North America. Her workshops cover foraging, natural dyeing, spinning, and weaving. She is interested in sustainable and historical techniques for creating vibrant colors. Zoe's daughter is often in tow as they forage for mushrooms.

Her focus is dyeing wool yarn. I'm more interested in dyeing cotton and silk fabric, but always learn transferrable information from her videos. She uses a technique of extracting color and dyeing that contains the dye source in mesh paint straining bags within jars. It is intriguing, but I haven't tried it yet (I did purchase some mesh bags). The technique works well for small batches, but would be difficult for dyeing something the size of a dish towel or Tee-shirt. Following is an example video, How to Dye Better Reds with Cortinarius Mushrooms (https://youtu.be/DLCuBX8QgzY?si=oXsO3afYK7gyeHGn):



Learn More

 

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